Abnormally low expression of connexin 37 and connexin 43 in subcutaneously transplanted cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the gap junction proteins connexin 37 (Cx37) and connexin 43 (Cx43) after subcutaneous transplantation of cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue.


METHODS
Expression of gap junction genes was assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in transplanted cryopreserved ovarian tissue compared with that of normal ovarian tissue. Apoptosis of ovarian cells was evaluated by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated deoxyuridine triphosphates nick end-labeling method.


RESULTS
After subcutaneous transplantation, Cx37 and Cx43 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in cryopreserved than in normal ovarian tissue. Apoptosis was increased in granulosa cells from antral follicles of the cryopreserved tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
After cryopreservation and subcutaneous transplantation of ovarian tissue, proteins forming gap junctions between oocytes and granulosa cells are under-expressed compared with normal controls.
Lee
Robert Kuo-Kuang
RK
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. lsh@ms1.mmh.org.tw
Li
Sheng-Hsiang
SH
Lu
Chung-Hao
CH
Ho
Hsin-Yi
HY
Chen
Ying-Jie
YJ
Yeh
Hung-I
HI
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein
D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000097006:Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein